Book festivals in Cornwall in 2026
Autumn in Cornwall isn’t just about golden beaches and cosy pubs — it’s also peak season for book festivals. As the evenings draw in, literary festivals begin popping up across the county, offering the perfect excuse to swap sea swims for storytelling and author talks.
One of the biggest highlights is the Falmouth Book Festival, a week-long celebration of ideas, creativity and conversation. Supported by Falmouth University and local booksellers, the festival regularly attracts award-winning writers, broadcasters and thinkers. Previous events have featured household names alongside emerging voices, with talks, workshops and panel discussions designed to inspire readers and writers alike.
Over on the north coast, the St Ives September Festival brings a lively mix of literature, poetry, music and art to the town each autumn. The long-running event transforms St Ives into a cultural hub, with performances and readings taking place across venues throughout the town. The festival spans multiple days and celebrates the creative spirit that has long made St Ives a magnet for artists and writers.
Closer to home and one of the standout highlights is the North Cornwall Book Festival at St Endellion, which regularly attracts an impressive line-up of big literary names alongside music, comedy and live recordings. Past programmes have featured heavyweights such as Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and Booker Prize winners, alongside BBC Radio 4 recordings and lively evening entertainment, giving the festival a warm, eclectic feel that’s very Cornish.
Cornwall’s literary scene is wonderfully welcoming and refreshingly down-to-earth. You’re just as likely to bump into a bestselling author in a café queue as you are to hear them speak on stage. Events often spill into bookshops, galleries and cosy venues, creating an intimate atmosphere that larger festivals sometimes lack.
These gatherings aren’t just about big names either. Many events spotlight local writers, poets and creatives, making them a brilliant way to discover new voices and support Cornwall’s thriving creative community.
So if you’re looking for a cultural fix this autumn, Cornwall’s literary festivals offer the perfect blend of inspiration and escapism. Grab a notebook, pick up a new read, and settle in for a season of stories by the sea.
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